House of Beasts!

Exhibition

House of Beasts

House of Beasts takes place in the stables, mansion and parkland of Attingham Park (National Trust), Shrewsbury, Shropshire until 15 July 2012. The group exhibition includes new commissions and existing work directly inspired by Attingham’s history and responding to its rich collections. The works investigate our relationship with those animals who live in close proximity to us or share our living space, whether domestic, wild or managed.These relationships can range from highly emotional ties, as in the case of pets or horses, to purely economical. They can be based on admiration or curiosity as in the case of birds or butterflies, or prove frankly antagonistic as with the various pests that roam around us, such as moles or rats. At Attingham, distinct personages throughout the centuries have each illustrated an aspect of this relationship.House of Beasts highlights the importance of Attingham’s animal population, past and present, and its part in the history of the estate. The contemporary art works offer an opportunity to revisit the diversity and wealth of Attingham’s collections as well as the significance of its landscape.